Anatomic pillow

Abstract

An improved pillow that deforms when rested upon to provide optimum orthopedic support is described. It is made of a single piece of foam plastic and possesses two parallel bolsters that are of different thicknesses. When rested upon, the pillow deforms such that the side on the bottom is flat with the sleeping surface.

Description

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application supplements and completes Provisional Application 60/200,907, filed May 1, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to orthopedic and special support pillows.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Pillows of various kinds have been invented to provide special or specific support for the head and neck. Most pillows provide support for the head by lifting the head off of the bed and not supporting the neck.

[0006] Pillows related to this invention are designed to give support to the head without bending the neck of a reclining person. These pillows share a common characteristic, in that they have a relatively solid portion for neck support and a relatively soft portion for supporting the head.

[0007] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,705 provides an inflatable neck support and a relatively flatter head support. U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,427 teaches a pillow with inserts that adjust height for neck and head support. U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,913 teaches a double-bolster billow with a middle section for supporting the head, each bolster having gear teeth for adjustment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,844 describes a multiple-layer pillow including an inner core of three layers, each with a different elasticity. There are several other utility and design patents in this area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is a pillow made of a single piece of spongy plastic material. The pillow is uniform in density throughout and has a specific shape that provides distinct utility to the sleeper. From the depiction in the accompanying figures, the human head and neck receive specific support by virtue of the pillow shape, as the pillow is deformed by placing head and neck on it.

[0009] It is an object of this invention to provide an anatomic pillow that looks and acts like a traditional pillow at rest, but which offers the correct orthopedic support of a therapeutic pillow when in use.

[0010] It is another object of this invention that it fit a standard pillow case easily.

[0011] it is another object of this invention that the pillow be useable on both sides and provide the same anatomical support.

[0012] It is another object of this invention that the two longitudinal bolsters be of different heights so that the user can choose one of two heights of neck support to meet his needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Further objects and features of the present invention are disclosed by the accompanying figures:

[0014] FIG. 1 shows the pillow in side view without a head on it.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows the pillow in side view supporting a head and neck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, The pillow is rectangular in shape and uniform in cross section, as displayed in this figure. The pillow is made of a single piece of compressible foam plastic. The thicker bolster, 101 and the thinner bolster, 102 are on opposite sides of the pillow. The head support portion, 104, is thinner than either bolster. The shape of the pillow is symmetric about the axis leading from the center of the thinner to the center of the thicker bolster, and this means the pillow is reversible.

[0017] The hollow portion underneath the pillow when it is not in use, 103, disappears as in FIG. 2 when a head and neck are placed on the pillow. The invention deforms in shape so that the bottom of the pillow is now flat on the bed or other surface and the concavity above the head support portion, 104, is more pronounced.

Claims

1. An anatomic pillow (pillow), said pillow comprised of a single piece of flexible foam plastic material in a generally rectangular shape, said pillow shaped in cross-section with a thin bolster, a head support section, and a thick bolster,

said thin bolster a round shape running longitudinally down the length of said pillow with uniform curvature, said thin bolster connected down the entire length of said pillow to said head support section,

said head support section a flat shape running longitudinally down the length of said pillow and connected down the entire length of said pillow to said thin bolster, said head support section connected on its other side to said thick bolster,

said thick bolster a round shape running longitudinally down the length of said pillow with uniform curvature, said thick bolster thick in cross-section than said thin bolster, said thick bolster connected down the entire length of said pillow to said head support section.

2. A pillow as in claim 1, where said pillow is sized such that it fits in standard pillow cases.

3. A pillow as in claim 1, where said pillow deforms when a head and neck are placed on it such that optimum orthopedic support is provided to said neck by either bolster.